Marion Hateka

Tuesday, 28 January 2014

Tourism Opportunities & Main Attractions

Marion Hateka: Tourism Opportunities & Main Attractions: Tourism Opportunities & Main Attractions Ghana is endowed with a wide range of natural, cultural and historical attractions, which off...

Tourism Opportunities & Main Attractions

Ghana is endowed with a wide range of natural, cultural and historical attractions, which offer a wide variety of tourism products. Above all, Ghanaians have a reputation for friendliness which is worth its weight in gold in attracting international tourism.

Natural Environment Heritage
Historic Heritage
Cultural Heritage
Community Ecotourism and Heritage Sites

Investment Opportunities
Ghana's tourism potential is vast. The platform has been put in place for increased tourism and investment in hotels and leisure resorts throughout the length and breadth of the country. Thanks to the tropical climate Ghana enjoys, it is an ideal year-round destination. There are various festivals throughout the year which celebrate the rich cultural traditions of various ethnic groups. The presence of renowned international hotel chains such as Hilton, Holiday Inn and Novotel in Ghana (among others) - with very high occupancy rates throughout the year - is a testimony to the giant strides Ghana has made as a tourism destination of choice.

Areas for Tourism Investment in Ghana
Attractions
Most of the attractions ( natural parks and reserves, beaches, animal sanctuaries, lakes, rivers, mountains and waterfalls) are in the natural environment and are as yet to be developed.
Other areas of potential include:

Cruise Boats of various types on the sea, lakes and rivers.
Light engine planes or helicopters for tourists to see major sites or parks
Construction of paid washrooms on highways, lorry parks and tourist sites.

Accommodation
Visitors facilities in Ghana are all concentrated in urban areas including Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi(the oil city). Substantial potential is available in the accommodation sector in other regional capitals and their districts, with good tourism opportunities.

kakum National Park

Elmina Castle

From conducted research, investment in the following areas will accelerate development in the tourism industry;

Convention centers
Floating Hotels
Restaurants
Beach Resorts
Spa or Sanatoria for mountain and beachfront areas
Themes parks
Eco-lodges
specialized Health Resorts
Tourist Villages
Tourism Training Institutes
Food Chains

International Tourists and Tourism Invsetors Welcome.
Ghana says Akwaaba. Welcome.
www.skyramghtravels.webs.com

Plane crashes in Nigeria aviation...what could be ...

Marion Hateka: Plane crashes in Nigeria aviation...what could be ...: i have a question i always ask myself and people and still no one has been able to give me a straight answer....what could be the cause of p...

GHANA’S DEMOCRACY WAS TESTED AND GHANA WON

Proud to be a Ghanaian

At last Ghana’s democracy was tested in the realms of the Judiciary and the electoral commission on their independence, but these state institutions undoubtedly responded appropriately to the call and were eventually seen emerged as solid as rock, no shuddering with their state responsibility vested in them, ultimately Ghana won. Election 2012 in Ghana was a real test” to test the electoral commission’s independence and the nation’s progressive democracy, undeniably, the test process lasted eight months when the opposition NPP petitioned the supreme court to adjudicate what they termed as fraudulent elections.

Notwithstanding the peace the nation enjoyed before the election petition, several stakeholders, other unseen hands and minds within and without Ghana constantly called for peace, just because of the uncertainty produced by the unprecedented nature of such case, ultimately however peace won. These stakeholders included the petitioners and respondents unarguably spoke in clear language that, they believed in the Supreme Court, therefore the outcome shall receive the best reception; eventually this assurance was seen manifested.
First of all, the supreme court judges are unique human beings with different dispositions and experiences, therefore have different worldview, however when the Supreme Court acted as a body and as a state institution charged with certain responsibilities, one of which was the pronouncement of the verdict which I think was a collective one. The president was validly elected and the petition was dismissed, this I think was a collective decision. Most of the electorates who are legally naive waited patiently for the verdict, and it came, we only picked these four words (validly elected & petition dismissed) they were self explanatory which did not need any spin doctor’s circumvention to confuse anybody.
Keenly analyzing the outcome of the petition we can tentatively extrapolate that it reflected the outcome of the 2012 presidential election which the electoral commission proclaimed; in effect the Supreme Court confirmed the Commission’s pronouncement that the President was the rightful winner.
After all and in practice actually, not all Ghanaian electorates vote to make a president a winner in general elections, so the decision of the Supreme Court I think reflected the outcome of the 2012 general election. Some voted for the petition and others against it, all in the appropriate direction.
The independence of the Commission came to test and it passed the test as an independent institution, in which case backed by law in our 1992 constitution and as a consequence Ghana was branded positively and her political credentials heightened to another pedestal.
Obviously, many Ghanaians enthusiastically followed through the unfolded story of the electoral petition’s in contention during the eight months and I believe they remember some terms, I do too, what about you? E.g (you and i were not there), (… I thought you will show your powers here…),(… you know I cannot carry all the codes in my head…), ( transpotitional errors)( I will need a calculator to be sure of myself) among many others that calmed the tension…, by the way, let me pause to avoid the charge with (contempt).
The live broadcast of the court proceedings, we were told that was unprecedented- telecast to all across the globe did not only show the pool of talents we have in Ghana, but also the quality of judges and lawyers who adjudicated the case with flair and skills, role modeling that inspired those who will want to consider it in future. Even children now know most of the legal terms. A lawyer artfully approached a contemptuous case (also sang) to save somebody from the rough of the judges, otherwise their intended action could have soured the peace party, in any case the judges only roared and the nation sat up. Some people will term it minimum force … How will you term it?

One of the petitioners Dr. Mahamodu Bawumia seized the opportunity and marketed himself as a knowledgeable vice presidential candidate to the whole world; he also proved his worthiness of the situation. He was “fired” by three “powerful” lawyers who probed the basis for which NPP refused the 2012 elections; he stood his grounds, and said my Lords; he told his side of the story eloquently that made some people suspect he has tightened the criteria for potential vice presidential candidates.
The general secretary of the ruling political party NDC Mr. Asiedu Nketiah represented the first and third respondents, also proved to the world that he knew the electoral process, and amply demonstrated that he was fully involved in the electoral activities for his party, he got thumps up by some people who watched and listened to him. The general said it all, and categorically mentioned that his party won the general election because they worked assiduously and with their party structures functioning
The commissioner, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan answered questions from the counsel of the petitioners especially, the lawyer was well prepared to “floor” the electoral commissioner, surprisingly the counsel did not only faced with somebody who knew and also knowledgeable with his job, but also the Dr. who lived his work . He enthusiastically seized the opportunity and introduced what we did not know, also educated the whole world about Ghana’s electoral process that justified the reasons for the many awards received and the lectures given by the commission to other countries. I think that, the commissioner wrote his experiential test on behalf of Ghana, and at last he passed the test, anyway, according to the verdict of the Supreme Court.
Any time the commission took an award the quality and reputation of the commission appreciated and therefore translated into the entrenchment of Ghana’s democracy, (I mean Ghana’s democracy). Let’s honor our national leaders who excelled in their field of work, so that we will have a bank of such for emulation. But for the intervention of the Supreme Court adherence to the independence of the commission, and thereafter the restoration of the commission’s credibility and the ultimate democratic credibility of the nation, justice would have been denied. Too bad.
Immediately after the pronouncement of the verdict the first petitioner who is also a renowned lawyer and the presidential candidate for the NPP in the 2012 presidential election came out to the admiration of many within and outside Ghana to wholeheartedly accepted the verdict and mentioned clearly he will not attempt any review, he also said, he called the president and congratulated him for his victory. What is more honorable than this matured gesture, many others think that, with this matured pronouncement alone, you have protected your reputation and reclaimed if any was at all eroded.
For now this also by extension denounced the notion that your party is a violent one. Unlike other countries whose approach to solving critical problem is being unfortunately rapacious, he rather chose the other arm of government – the judiciary, through which the Supreme Court adjudicated and brought to a close the case in a civilized way.

The validly elected president, his Excellency John Dramani Mahama, was he elected twice in the same election? … one pronounced by the Electoral Commission at a point and the other by the Supreme Court, (just to ponder) had his nation broadcast some few hours after the verdict, spoke to the nation as the father and chief executive officer of the state that psychologically, emotionally and strategically touched many hearts - saying that let put all the happenings of the petition aside and move the country forward in development, after all Ghana won. Let us work to develop the nation and share the cake, he added. He clearly confirmed in his speech that he had a conversation with the first petitioner, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo, and what I saw as the consequence of this time nation’s address was peacetime we are enjoying.
We hear pocket lawyers, but after the Supreme Court published the verdict, we can now add pocket judges, funnily, pretending to be more judges than the qualified bench of the state. These pockets lawyers and judges are just but spice of democracy, free to express but be careful of that contempt. I can say that this is not less than, government of the people, by the people and for the people.
Even though many stakeholders effort can be attributed to this peace we are witnessing today, the spontaneous attitudes exhibited by these two leaders Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo and His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama- the antagonist and protagonist sealed the deal for such peace and also crippled any potential evil plans. They proved that they are leaders, who could also take independent action though moral, on behalf of their followers, and this gesture is symbolic for generations upon generations to come and say thank you.
The rambunctious group of youth who were the most suspected to cause any confusion instead gave chance to peace and patience that signified that, after all Ghana is all that we have.
In any case, the leaders they would have been hitherto fighting for say they are for peace, so who will you wrestle for; I think this calmness gave the security agencies little or no work for the meantime. Nonetheless peace won and Ghana entrenched her democratic stands; therefore let us give it some meaning by improving on our economy, social and infrastructure development. Just political tolerance, peace and respect for state institutions, rule of law … will be meaningless until it is totally seen in the lives of its people socio-economic improvement.
The NPP minority in parliament rescinded their decision for non-recognition of the President and said their action was just on principle to be in tune with their party that sent them to power, it sounds cool but the biggest question I believe many will want an answer is how would they account to their constituents for the eight months partially represented. Though democratic principle was exercised by minority parliamentarian, how will they then make up the lost representation retroactively? I am sure their constituents will ask this obvious question at the appropriate time.

But the most affected person of this action says let’s put all these behind us and move forward with the nation’s development, therefore it will not be necessary at least for now to justify or refute to their withdrawal, after all the wheels of the nation did not stop moving, meanwhile the colours of the nation’s democracy rather became blare.
At a point I thought the Ghana peace council was a non- denominational religious group working hard to see peace during and after the period in contention, they surely achieved their aim, as we all could smell peace. The Rev. Prof. Asante and team even before the 2012 election organized the Kumasi (peace declaration pledge) and finally also did organize peace conference during the hearing of the petition in Accra, together with important stakeholders like- religious leaders, chiefs and queen mothers, youth groups, political parties, past and present Ghana presidents/ their representatives , security, civil society, media…etc discussed and strategized ahead of the verdict to protect Ghanaian peace and harmony. Their interventions and that of the peace council are worthwhile and must be emulated by other countries in crisis
We were told that some members of the international community privately, and also some unseen hands and minds worked hard to see Ghana intact after the verdict, so that they can always use her as an example for the other developing countries to emulate. The leading stakeholders were seen visibly working for peace but I think supplementarily, all of us Ghanaian achieved this as a unit through concerted effort.
Ghana cannot pretend to be too peaceful, so when we had just a little disagreement over who won …, we thank God and others that we did not walk alone.
The religious groups did a great work, while some prayed, fast and preached, kept vigil for peace, others also met and had discussions with the important persons involved in the court issue. Did the opium worked on the masses for peace? Or the highest God just listened to our prayers. Combination of factors I believe.
The media did not go to sleep at all, even when “contempt” was vigilant and prosecuting fearfully, however the media foundation prof. Karikari and his team, the media fraternity in general and many other associates reminded the media group to go beyond their routine responsibility to assure peace. This group did not fail to heed the call. Less exaggeration to exacerbate the emotions of the already skeptical society, yet the facts opined. Some balanced their reporting, but conspicuously the State TV and radio reporters were seen in the court and we also heard them using the legal jargons correctly, (we were told, as if they were trained lawyers).
The legal spoke persons of the petitioners and respondents they interviewed edified and schooled their supporters that they have total confidence in the bench and the outcome should not precipitate any confusion, and that worked superbly.
The security agencies only said they will act appropriately to uphold and defend the constitution and again give meaning to the second stanza of our national anthem. They just professionally exhibited that to maintain the ultimate peace and order, but will they stop just after this show? I think they should continue to completely handle the other social cancer.
No matter how high the marking scheme of Ghana’s democracy is raised our institutions will write the test and will pass with distinction. When president Obama of US visited Ghana sometime ago he said, we did not need strong men rather strong institutions, we just exhibited that… .
Since the electoral commissioner admitted frankly that there were some trans-positional errors, then it is obvious that the IPAC will do some kind of introspection, realignment to our electoral system and probably institutionalizing the party agents’ role to the mainstream of conducting election instead of mere observers as was claimed, and other reforms to be considered .
I remember when I was a kid in the kindergarten school I sang the national pledge unknowing the meaning but there is this line that says ‘to uphold and defend the good name of Ghana. So help me God’. But now I understand that just a positive word can uphold and defend the good name of Ghana. So help me God.
Judge me by the enemies I have made: by President Roosevelt, US.

What do you think?
www.skyramghtravels.webs.com

Plane crashes in Nigeria aviation...what could be the cause?

i have a question i always ask myself and people and still no one has been able to give me a straight answer....what could be the cause of plane crashes in nigeria aviation? is it lack of maintenance or the authourities do not care? one day i will find the answer to that.

And yet another plane clash at lagos on the 3rd of October 2013 rounding up the number to.....this year alone. How many innocent lives, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, children do we want to loose to wake up?

www.skyramghtravels.webs.com

Monday, 23 September 2013

Tallest waterfalls in West Africa

when you visit Ghana and you couldn't experience the excitement nature of Wli waterfalls then you need to come back again cos you havent seen anything

Wli Waterfalls (pronounced: Vli) is a predominately farming community located in the Hohoe Municipality. It is in fact closer to the Republic of Togo than the capital city of Ghana, Accra. The Akwapim-Togo range provides the perfect setting for what is to become arguably, the most impressive waterfall in Ghana. Some even believe it is the highest waterfall in West Africa. The Wli people like all other Ewes of Ghana originated from the city of Notsie in what is now Benin. The Wli people were led by their King named Togbe Ametornu I and Togbe Afaladze.

Legend has it that Togbe Ametornu I after fighting some many wars successfully decided to take his warriors around to look for food and water. After several attempts through the jungle the King and his subjects came into contact with a river that was pure and tasty. They therefore decided to look for the source of the water that took them across the same river at eleven different locations until they finally heard loud splashing water from the mountains.

They decided to climb the mountain to ascertain the source of the fall. It is believed that at the peak of the mountain, they saw beautiful water falling from the mountain. They named it Agumatsa, “let me flow through, describing the force with which the water is trying to escape from the “throat” of the mountain. This spectacle amazed the people to a great extent that they decided to worship the waterfall as their god.

Accounts have been given as to how the river god refused to be photographed until some rituals were performed not only to allow for its photography but to allow women to come closer to it. The day on which the ritual was performed is celebrated as Agumatsa festival which falls on Easter Monday each year.

Features of the waterfall

The forest around the wli waterfall has been preserved into what is known as the Agumatsa wildlife sanctuary. Nature lovers will find this place very interesting to visit. There are about 200 species of birds, 400 butterfly species and fruit eating bats.

A visitor/tourist can choose between visiting the upper waterfalls which requires more effect as this calls hiking uphill or the lower falls. The lower falls has a plunge pool where visitors can bathe. There river that flows downstream through the woods is so cold that it feels like drinking a refrigerated water.

Popular with many eco-tourism projects is the provision of alternative forms of livelihoods for natives. Wli is not short of that. There is an ostrich farm where visitors are taking through processes and procedures used in rearing those “giant” birds.

When to visit

There is no limit to when periods of visitation. Visits can be done throughout the year but during the dry season that starts from October each year and ends in early march the following year the volume of water decreases. The raining season presents the best opportunity to see the falls it is “glory and spender” but that also presents its own challenges. Rainfalls are heavy and usually “unannounced” all the time and conditions become a bit treacherous. However, visitors should not worry about the rains and the terrains since these conditions provide a perfect setting for the adventurous. Visitors or tourists are encouraged to start their tour of the wildlife sanctuary and falls at 8:00am and the falls are opened till 5:00pm each day.

www.skyramghtravels.webs.com

Sunday, 15 September 2013

Colorful Ghanaian Traditional Wedding..

“Da bi meye wo me yere”

Simply put “One day I’ll make you my wife”

Exchange of rings

Its a beautiful thing to witness and experience a Ghanaian traditional wedding first-hand.. i had the pleasure to attend a friend's wedding and i can tell you all that it was a humbling experience for me...and i want the whole world to know about our traditions.

In Ghana we have 10 Regions and they all have different traditions and believes...that's what make our traditions very unique from others.. Continue reading and you will know why..

STEP 1

So the day finally arrives when a Ghanaian man comes to the realization that the woman he is dating the one he wants to spend the rest of his life with.

He proposes to his sweetheart & the lucky lady says “Yes”

Before the happy couple even get to the altar, the elders within the family will advise them that they are required to perform the traditional wedding rites.

The traditional ceremony is a necessary common rite of marriage for all Ghanaian couples. In Ghana today, some couples perform this alone as a marriage ceremony, however, most couples also go on to perform the western wedding in a church in addition to the traditional marriage ceremony.

“Sounds simple enough, but Ghanaian’s will attest to the fact that if the lucky lady in question has said “yes” that this is only the start.”

STEP 2

First comes “The knocking” (kokooko) on the door ceremony, this is the process of the groom visits the home of his bride to be (with the purpose of formally announcing their wedding plans) with representatives from his family. This could be anyone from his parents to a senior uncle within the family.

Often times this ceremony is performed a week or two before the actual marriage ceremony. The knocking (“kookooko”) is derived from the Ghanaian tradition of knocking at the entrance of a house before entering as a visitor.

items demanded by the bride family

For the knocking ceremony the groom’s family brings along two bottles of Schnapps (alcoholic drinks), some money and cola to the house to present to the bride’s family. In the past, and to date, the drinks are used to pour libation. (Libation is a traditional form of prayer to the ancestral spirits and God).

When the drinks are presented, a designated spokesman from the groom’s delegation formally asks the bride’s family for permission to enter the house and announce their intentions. If the drinks are accepted then it means permission has been granted to the visitors to state their intentions. The spokesperson will then explain in the most lyrical language, that the groom, has seen a “beautiful flower” in the house of the bride’s family that he desires and would like to “uproot” that flower, not steal, from its keeper, hence they are here to ask for the brides hand in marriage and inquire about what is required in order to make that flower his own.

Once the intentions are announced, the bride’s family may ask the groom and his family to come back at a later date during which the bride’s family will investigate the grooms family background further to see:

If the family has no chronic illness or genetic disabilities in the family
If the family has a good reputation, that is, there are no immediate family members such as a sibling, an aunt or uncle who is known to be a thief, prostitute or murderer.
If the groom has any illegitimate children or is already married to someone else etc.
If the groom is of good character and well matched to the bride